Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 7

Time and again, Marc’s family learned about the impact
he had on people. When the community came together to
build an addition and ramp on their house, one particular
donation caught their attention—a $5 check enclosed in a
letter describing Marc’s kindness. It came from an elderly
woman who lived nearby and had once been on Marc’s
paper route. She described how he would knock on her
door each day to ask if she needed any help, and to hand-
deliver her paper. “We never knew that,” smiled his sister,
Paula. “He was just good.” The goodness Marc displayed
on both his paper route and while huddled with his team
on the football field was a large part of what made him
such a resilient and well-loved man.
Marc was loved by an amazing group of friends and
teammates who rallied together to support him. His
buddies referred to themselves as his “pit crew,” and they
made sure to include him in their shenanigans, even when
transportation was challenging. “They would roll up to
our house in two cars, yell, “Let’s go, Cote!” and take off to
the Old Port for the night—after safely transferring him
into the car, breaking down his wheelchair, and throwing
it in the trunk, of course.” Much like Marc had done for
his teammates at TA, they made sure he knew he was
appreciated, supported, and never felt alone. Jeff Surran
’91 often remembers his friend’s infectious can-do spirit
and positive outlook. “He truly made lemonade out of
lemons. He was smart, capable, always dependable—a
true role model in every way. Most importantly though,
he was my friend. He is missed, even after all these years.”
Always ready to face another challenge, Marc returned to
college a year after he was injured. He graduated Magna
Cum Laude and promptly set off for Knoxville, Tennessee
where he earned a master’s degree in sports management.
However, on his return trip to Maine he met another
challenge when an accident caused his van to flip and he
was thrown through the front windshield. Again, Marc
found himself in the ICU, this time with a broken pelvis.
And again, he pulled through. His friends often joked
that Marc was like a cat; he
faced several other medical
challenges that threatened to
take him, but every time he
rallied and pulled through.
Marc and parents
celebrate his graduation
from the University
of Tennessee where he
earned his M.S. in Sports
Management.
Marc never stopped
pursuing his dream of
working for a professional
sports team. He consistently
applied for jobs and was
even offered a position with
an NFL team, but challenges
around accessibility got
Marc’s “pit crew” (L - R: Chris Motile ’91, Bill Huot ’91,
Peter Fournier ’91, Bill Fournier ’89, Jeff Surran ’91
Front: Marc Cote ’91)
in the way. At the time of his death, he had secured an
internship and was working with the Portland Pirates.
As always, the people around him admired and respected
his tenacity and determination. At the end of his wake, the
Pirates’ captains and general manager came through the
receiving line and shared the entire team's condolences.
“The general manager pulled my parents aside,” recalled
Paula. “He said he wished all of his employees and players
had half of Marc’s spirit and heart.”
Marc’s nephew and namesake is a freshman at Thornton
Academy this fall, with his sisters soon to follow. They
will join several family members who have worn the
maroon and gold, including their mom, Paula; aunt,
Michelle Cote Houser ’86 (Marc’s other sister); and three
cousins. They too will walk beneath the Victory Bell, but
their footsteps will bring them face to face with a reminder
of their uncle. Paula hopes that they, along with every
TA student, remember that victory is so much more than
winning a championship. “Before his accident to the day
he died, Marc showed compassion, perseverance, and
determination. He taught us that anything is possible if
you put your mind to it. That’s my brother’s legacy. That
is his greatest victory.”
Marc’s plaque hangs beneath the Victory Bell.
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